Chapter 134: Kengan Chairman Showdown

"This… this is…"

At the center of the arena, Ohma's skin had turned crimson. Bulging veins popped across his body, and the sound from him was like a revving engine.

"I don't know the exact mechanism, but he used this technique when he fought me for the first time."

Rinji took a puff of his cigarette, watching calmly.

"In essence, it increases heart rate to accelerate blood flow, dramatically boosting physical performance. Of course… it puts an enormous strain on the body."

Back in the ring, Ohma launched a vicious counterattack, grinning wildly as he pummeled the much larger Sekibayashi with a flurry of punches.

His fists landed like hammers, each blow drawing blood.

Both fighters were severely injured—Sekibayashi with bruises and bleeding, two fingers broken; Ohma with clear signs of bone fractures in his arm.

Even so, both smiled as they kept hitting each other like emotionless beasts.

"So intense."

Rinji watched the brawl with detached interest.

"I wonder when I'll get to feel that kind of rush."

"You thinking of becoming a Kengan fighter, Mr. Takamine?"

"Don't be ridiculous. No one gets fired up squashing an ant," he scoffed.

As they spoke, the match ended.

When Sekibayashi charged at Ohma with full force, Ohma suddenly accelerated—and in the blink of an eye, they had swapped places.

Sekibayashi stood still, then wobbled and collapsed. Oma's fingers, meanwhile, were bent at horrifying angles.

It looked painful just to watch.

"A strike to the windpipe to cause oxygen deprivation and blackout? A little more force and he'd be dead."

Rinji grinned as he flicked his cigarette butt to the floor and crushed it underfoot.

He turned to walk away.

This match had earned him a fortune.

Sekibayashi Jun—also known as [Hell's Angel]—was a globally known pro wrestler. That he joined the Kengan matches was no surprise, and his strength was undeniable. Against a newcomer like Ohma, the odds had been heavily in his favor.

That disparity had led to high returns. Most people bet on Sekibayashi, which meant Rinji's bet multiplied his funds many times over.

Kengan fighters came in all types—renowned martial artists, underground champions, assassins, killers. They were all monsters.

But Rinji had no interest in any of them.

Just as he was collecting his winnings, the crowd suddenly stirred.

The cheers and jeers stopped. Everyone turned to look in one direction.

"Wait… why is Chairman Katahara here?"

"The chairman came in person!? No way!"

"If the Kengan Association's chairman is here, this must be serious."

All eyes turned to the entrance, where an old man walked in with a cane, flanked by two enormous bodyguards.

Despite his age and appearance, Katahara Metsudo exuded an overwhelming pressure.

"Chairman Katahara."

Nogi Hideki exhaled deeply and walked up to him.

"Thank you for gracing us with your presence."

"You've found a fine fighter, Nogi."

Even though his voice was soft, the nearby businessmen didn't dare breathe.

Erioh turned and looked at a bald middle-aged man nearby.

"That's enough, right, Shikano?"

"Yes."

Shikano Gen, CEO of the Gandai and the man who had hired Sekibayashi Jun.

Takamine Rinji knew of this company—many of the models and toys in his room were manufactured by them.

This man named Shikano glanced at Nogi and said, "As compensation for our loss, my company agrees to Nogi's proposal of a 'Kengan Association Chairman Battle'."

The whole venue erupted.

It had been many years since anyone had dared make a move on the chairman's seat of the Kengan Association.

And now, Nogi Hideki had become the center of everyone's attention.

"Hmm… to initiate a 'Chairman Battle', you need the consent of at least fifty Kengan Association members. Looks like you've met all the conditions now," Katahara Metsudo said calmly.

Akiyama Kaede looked confused and leaned in to whisper to Nogi, "Fifty? But didn't we only get support from forty-nine companies?"

Nogi didn't respond, merely pointed to Takamine Rinji, who had returned to the scene.

"Mr. Takamine?"

Among the fifty supporters was Rinji's company, Amano Pharmaceuticals. While it didn't have a fighter, it was still a legitimate Kengan Association member. His support was valid.

Suddenly, Katahara Metsudo grinned and said in a booming voice, "Congratulations, Nogi. You've earned the right to challenge me, Katahara Metsudo!!"

"!!"

The overwhelming aura stunned everyone present—including Nogi and Akiyama.

Kaede's body began to tremble, sweat breaking out on her back.

He was just an old man seemingly at death's door, but the pressure he exuded was like a mountain. This kind of inhuman presence... He was a true monster.

Smack.

A hand landed on her shoulder, instantly releasing the pressure.

She turned to find Takamine Rinji standing behind her.

"Mr. Takamine…"

"Oh ho, so you're here too, young Rinji."

Takahara's terrifying expression shifted into a beaming smile upon seeing him.

"And you're not worried about your back, old man, showing up here yourself?" Rinji stepped up to face him.

The gathered businessmen began speculating wildly about Rinji's identity. Anyone who could speak so casually with Takahara Metsudo couldn't be an ordinary person.

"You agreed to the deal we discussed last time, correct?"

"I did," Rinji said with a smile. "Did you arrange things for my friend?"

"Of course. A young man named Shirogane Miyuki, right?" Katahara chuckled. "Tell him that starting next month, he'll be the president of Dainippon Bank."